Drinking Water Prices in Turkey Increase by Over 100% in One Year
Drinking water prices have soared in Türkiye, with a staggering increase of over 100% in 2023. Industry representatives are pointing fingers at foreign water brands, accusing them of market manipulation.
Ahmet Turan Akkaya, President of the Istanbul Water and Beverage Sellers Association, highlighted the issue, noting that foreign brands are flouting nationally accepted pricing regulations by setting their own prices. This has led to discrepancies between water sellers sourcing from Istanbul versus regions like Bursa and Sakarya.
Despite no significant rise in fuel prices, wages, or currency exchange rates, bottled water prices have seen two significant hikes in the past six months. In some parts of Istanbul, a 19-liter water container now costs up to ₺140 ($4), with an average price range of ₺100–120 ($2.8–3.4).
Mehmet Bülent Deniz, President of the Consumers Union Federation, expressed concern over these price hikes, calling them unjustified. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to understand the reasons behind such sharp increases.
Both Akkaya and Deniz have urged the Ministry of Trade to intervene and address the issue of price manipulation. Akkaya revealed that foreign brands often register their distributors with the Chamber of Commerce to circumvent mandatory tariffs. Deniz stressed the importance of stricter oversight and enforcement of penalties if price increases are found to be unwarranted.
According to the Packaged Water Manufacturers Association (SUDER), Türkiye’s packaged water market expanded by 1.6% in 2023, with a total volume of 10.8 billion liters and revenue of ₺31.1 billion ($897.3 million). Bottled water sales accounted for 51% of the market, while container water made up the remaining 49%.
It’s clear that the surge in drinking water prices is a pressing issue, and industry stakeholders are calling for swift action to address market manipulation and ensure fair pricing practices.
